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Review
. 2021 Aug 20;10(8):1010.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10081010.

Polyphenols and Organic Acids as Alternatives to Antimicrobials in Poultry Rearing: A Review

Federica Scicutella  1 , Federica Mannelli  1 , Matteo Daghio  1 , Carlo Viti  1 , Arianna Buccioni  1
Affiliations
Review

Polyphenols and Organic Acids as Alternatives to Antimicrobials in Poultry Rearing: A Review

Federica Scicutella et al. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

For decades antibiotics have been used in poultry rearing to support high levels of production. Nevertheless, several problems have arisen because of the misuse of antibiotics (i.e., antibiotic resistance, residues in animal products, environmental pollution). Thus, the European Union (EU) as well as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) promote action plans to diminish the use of antibiotics in animal production. Alternatives to antibiotics have been studied. Polyphenols (PPs) or organic acids (OAs) seem to be two accredited solutions. Phenolic compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids, and tannins exert their antimicrobial effect with specific mechanisms. In contrast, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), the OAs mainly used as antibiotics alternative, act on the pathogens depending on the pKa value. This review aims to collect the literature reporting the effects of these substances applied as antimicrobial molecules or growth promoter in poultry feeding (both for broilers and laying hens). Organic acids and PPs can be used individually or in blends, exploiting the properties of each component. Collected data highlighted that further research needs to focus on OAs in laying hens' feeding and also determine the right combination in blends with PPs.

Keywords: antibacterial; anticoccidial; broiler; fatty acids; growth promoter; laying hens; phenolic compounds.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of polyphenols applied as antimicrobials.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flavonoid, tannin and phenol antimicrobial mechanisms of action.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Examples of organic acids applied as antimicrobials.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Example of organic acids’ antimicrobial mechanism of action.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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